100 Years ago, today, somewhere between thirty-thousand and
one hundred thousand people witnessed the great miracle of the sun in Fatima,
Portugal. Thousands of witnesses saw the
sun leave its place in the sky, begin to spin like a top, “spinning like a ring
of fireworks”, one account said and come barreling toward the earth. And then,
just as quickly as it came toward the earth, it returned to its spot in the sky
and stopped spinning.
The miracle occurred eight months after Our Lady began
appearing to the three shepherd children. She introduced herself as “the Lady
of the Rosary” and stressed the importance of praying the rosary for world
peace, for the end of World War I, for the conversion of Russia, and to pray
especially for sinners in danger of hell.
The miracle of the sun was a sign from heaven, a stamp of
confirmation on the message of Our Lady: there is a great need of repentance
and a need to have faith is Jesus Christ.
I saw an article this morning that claimed the Miracle of
the Sun was a turning point in Portugal’s history. Anti-Catholicism and
Atheism, which proliferated in the 18th century, leading to the
seizing of many catholic churches and schools by the government, maltreatment
of clergy, the outlawing of church bells, the banning of religious festivals.
Between 1911 & 1916, nearly 2000 priests, monks and nuns were killed by
anti-Christian groups. But the “day the sun danced” was a turning point. The
Atheist regime was soon replaced, and a flourishing of faith ensued.
The message of Fatima is as relevant today as ever: the need
for repentance and conversion and prayer is a perpetual necessity; and that
there can be no real lasting peace in the world, unless the peace of Jesus Christ
fills our hearts.
The readings today are all ominous, but in their own way
they each resonate with the Fatima message. The power of Christ can cast out
demons from a soul and from a nation, and repentance and observance of God’s
commands are perpetually needed for the day of judgment is coming, “the day of
the Lord is coming” the prophet Joel says; “The Lord will judge the world with
justice” we proclaimed in the Psalm.
“Say the Rosary every day… People must amend their lives and
ask pardon for their sins.” May we heed Our Lady’s message, praying for
ourselves and for those who do not yet know the importance of prayer. Confident
and trusting in the Lord and His Mother amidst all the chaos of our lives, may
we be found faithful today in his service for the Glory of God and salvation of
souls. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
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That our Church Leaders may always help us prepare rightly
for the day of Judgment.
For those who have fallen into error, for Catholics who have
grown lukewarm in their faith, for those who have left the Church, for their
conversion and the conversion of all hearts.
For an increase in devotion to Our Lady’s Holy Rosary, and
that we may all come to more fully imitate Our Lady’s faith and purity.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring
healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and
parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and
religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject
to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the
prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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